Automatic pencil



Od' 20,'1931- DE FOREST Q. cRlMMlNs 1,828,521

AUTOMATIC PENCIL Filed May 50. 195o 1 1 mili-H414 )v1/.f5 To? VM ,4 fr@ @M5 K5 .PllilnlrlinlmiiE/f i Patented' oci. 2o, 1931 nn'ronnsr Q. Gaim/riuscii TONAWANDA, NEW Yon-ir" l AUTOMATIC PENCIL 7 i `ApplicationI filed May y30,

This invention relates to improvements in automatic pencils, and particularly to pen-` cils of this sort provided with a magazine in wliidh a plurality of leads ar'econtained and froi'n which the leads are propelled one after another through the tip of the pencil.

The objects of thisV invention are to. provide animproved, simple 'andi practical pencil of this sortof durable construction, and

10 which will not readily get. out of order; also to provide in a pencil of `this kind an improved. magazine constructedto hold a number of leads so that one lead after ane other can be fed from the magazinefas they become used up, and in which the leads are maintainedlin an orderly series so that the leads can Vbe propelledy without interfering with one another;l also to construct al pencil having a magazine ofopen` or skeletonform so that broken leads canbe readily removed therefrom without removing or disturbing the unbroken leads; also to provide a'magazine of this short with anadjustable part which can be moved to one position to per mit the leads to `be inserted into the maga'-A zine, and which can be moved to a second position to' Vprevent the leads fromfalling out of the magazineafter the latter has been loaded, also to construct a magazine of this 3o kind having a central slotted guide tube, and means of novel construction'for automatically andsuccessively feeding the leads. thereto as the leads in the tube become usedf; also vto provide a magazine with a movable fol-. lower which is normally heldiout of operative relationl to the kguide tube,- and which when the last lead has been Vfed intothe lat.

ter is automatically moved into theslot in` the tube tohold said last lead therein; andV automatic pencils. A y Other obyects of thisinvention are to con- 40 also to otherwise improve the magazines of` struct an automatic vpencil having a plunger Y movable into the guide tube ofthe magazine forpropclling'the leadstherethrough, and

which is constructed and operated ina novel manner; also to provideineans under. the cone trol of the user for afctuatingthe plunger to `feed the lead as .required for use, andnovelv El() means for'quickly returning the plunger to of the operating head broken away;

1930. yserial 1ra-457,652.

its initial position' when a lead inthe maga# Q zine .isusedralso to provide in a pencil of this sort, a movable head orblock operativelyv connected to the*A plunger, and a guide for said head and meansl formoving saidhead into operative relation to the guide at one end` thereof, and out of operative relation there-` to at the other end, whereby said head and its attached plungen can be l moved fronr an initial positionlunder the control of theuser, in a directionto propel the lead for use, and

A whereby the plunger is returnedf quickly in an opposite directionl to its initial position; and also to construct a pencil in which Jthe aforementioned movementsof the plunger and its u attached head in opposite directions areeffected byturning the operating knob or head of the pencil iii-one Vdirection only. A i

Other objects, are to improve Vand simplify f the construction of automatic pencils in the .70 other respects hereinafter. set forth.; and r claimed. 1 n

Iny thedrawings: i v r Fig. l is a side elevation of an automatic pencil illustrating an embodiment of myv invention.;

Fig. 12 is e a longitudinal sectional elevation thereof,-onan enlarged scale, with a `portion Fig. `Slis a side viewof a rotatable sleeve for guiding the-lead feeding plunger; f L,

Fig. 4 is a similar view from the. opposite 1 side of thesleeve; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional viewlof the pencil, taken approximately on theline 5---5V `8'5 ofFig.2;``

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal'sec-v tion, on an enlargedl scale, showing one position of the lead feedingplunger andits movablehead; l' f90 F ig. 7 is asimilar view, show-ing the plun'g? er and its said head in another position;

Fig.8 is 'a 'transverse section ofr the pencil, on line 8j-8,'Fig..6. e

Fig. 9is Ya similar view, taken approximates.

Fig. ll is afragmentary longitudinal Sec` es"V Fig. 14 is a transverse section of themagazine, on line 14-14Fig. 10, on an. enlarged scale; and

Fig. 15 is a similar view, on line 15-15,;

Fig. 10.

In the embodiment of the inventionshown in the drawings, my improved automatic pencil comprises an outer cylindrical shellor.cas-l ing Aopen at Litsupper end 10 and having an integral pointed or tapered lower end 11 pron videdwith-the usual central, longitudinalpassage 1.2,y through which the lead is propelled, so that a portion thereof'extends out ofthe passage for use.

` Within the shell A and adjacent its lower, L5 tapered end 11 is a magazine B, which is constructed to contain a plurality of l'leads m.

In rear of or above the magazine B, the pencil is `provided with a longitudinally eX- tending, centrally disposed plunger C opera 3QY tively mounted in a cylindrical guide sleeve 14, for movement towards saidtaperedend 11 of the shell Aand which sleeve in turn is disposed within a cylindrical threaded feed tube or member 15,V which fits loosely within 35` the casing A with its lower end 16 abutting againstthe upper end 17fof the magazine B, and its upper, open end 18 adjacent the open end 10 of the shell A.

Preferably, the upper end4 of the guide 4sleeve-14 extends out ofthe open end 18 of "'the feed cylinder 15 and is threaded for the-V reception of a vdetachable intermediate cap 20, which, if desired, can be provided with an eraser-A21, and-extendingover the cap 2O` is 45n an operating head or knob `22.

The threadedfeed cylinder 15 maybe .stationarilybut.detachably secured vto the outer shell A by a bayonet connection comprising a projection23 on said `cylinder whichgenlo gages-inan appropriatelyvv formed, angular 'lslot'24-attheupper end ofthe. shellA. The guide sleeve 14 can be turned within. and relatively to said -stationary feed cylinder 15 by-any suitable means, such asthepin and 55 slot,connection 25,. shownain- Fig.l 1,. and which includes the inclined cam face 26; Thel arrangement. of theseparts isi suchthat operative connection is providedbetween the knob .22 and the .guide sleeve 414 foradvance- (59x ing the plunger C when the knob is turned in,

" one. direction, and wliichifthe knob ,is turned the other way allowsv theknobto. begfreed from. Said. guide. Sleeve'. SQ that ,the 4plunger will not `be moved 'backvvards,

s@ 'Any otliensuit'able:connections affording the necessary relative movements between the parts can, however, be provided for securing the feed cylinder 15 in stationary relation to the shell A, and for providing an operative connection between the operating knob 22 and the rotatable guide sleeve 14.

The magazine B for the leads .fr comprises a longitudinal, substantially cylindrical, or tubular member 30 provided at its upper and lower ends with enlarged circular disks or end walls- 31 and 32-which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, are adapted to iit snugly within theshellA, being held in stationary operative relationto said shell by the engagement of the lower disk 32against a suitable stop, such asthe large end ofthe tapered portion 11 andthe engagement of the end of the feed cylinder 15 withv the opposite end of the niagazine and the retention, in turn, of the cylinder 15 `and sleeve 14 in the shell A by the parts 20 and 22.

The tubular body 30 of the magazine A is cut away, preferably at its opposite sides for nearly its entire length, so as to provideone or more relatively large openings 34 leaving, however, adjacentV the end disks 31 and 32,

substantially. cylindrical flanges or portions 35 and 36 respectively, connected by longitudinal strips or parts 37. The upper end 17 ofr the magazinel is in the form of an annular hub or boss projecting from the adjacent end disk 31.

AXially disposed within the body member 30 of the magazine B is .a longitudinal guide tube rotatably'journalledin central aperi: '2I

tures inthe disks .31 and' 32, and which is slotted or cut away between said disks at 41 to permit thetube to receivethe leads The guide tube 40 extends downwardly for some distance below thedisk 32 and is pron vided at a distance from the latter with a fixed nut or collar44, while loosely'surrounding said tubeadjacentsaid disk'32is a plate or member 45 which is stationarily but detachably secured to said disk 32 in any suitable manner for rotatable adjustment about said tube 40. This may be effected by forming said member 45 with a central square opening 46. into the corners. of which extend projections 47 on the disk32. A tension coil spring 48surrounds the guide tube 40 between the nut 44 .andthe member'45' with its opposite ends respectively secured to these parts. The tension of the spring 48 issuch as to urge the guide tube 40 to turn inthe direction of the arrows in Figs. 12 and 13. The tension of this springpmay beadjusted as desiredby disconnecting the member 45 from the projections 47 turning it in the appropriatedireetion for changing thetension of the spring, and then replacing it. The member 45prevent'ed j from accidental detachment from the projections `47 by the pressure of the Spring 48,

As shown, the guidetube 40 is provided with a pair of laterally extending curved arms or deecting` members 50Y disposed in spaced relation, withitheirf free ends 'adj acent the 'wall of the body member 30. One of the longitudinal strips or Vparts 37" of ythe maga ing radial, fixedabutment 51, andas shown in the drawings-:the magazine `is provided with al pair of spaced, transverse arcuate members 53, which extend acro'ss one of the openings 34 and connect the strips 37. `OnI each of thesecross pieces 53 is secureda flexiblev spring member 55 which extends from the outer side thereof through a notch therein into the magazlne and has its free endcon- 1x52 nected to and movabl'y supports la longitudiL nallyextending rod orfollowerf56. e

@ne of the end flanges ofthe magazine, as, for exainple,'the flange 35, is notched or cut awayat 56a, see Figs. 11 and 14, so that the 26'; leads ai can be inserted into'tlle magazine by first extending one end of each lead within" the other fiange36, and then letting the other end of the-lead drop through said notch 56. When the necessary number loflea'ds have by suitable mea-ns, such as an annular vfriction band or member 57 extending about the flange e 35. Vrllhis band is disposed inY open position in Fig. `11, whereina lead is shown as just 3e? entering thefimagazineLand in closed position in Fig. 14, where one of the ends of the band has been turned so as to extend across;

and close said notch 56. A

In order to fill the magazine with leads,

57;.V The guide tube 40 is now'rotated in a backward direction, that is, against the. ac-k` tion of the tension spring 48, by grasping the' nut 44 until thefarms or deflecting members are moved 'toa position in which a lead, `inserted as described, can drop upon the inner side of said arms, and be guided therebyL into the guide tube V40. The guide tube is turned backwards, and the. successive leads aire inserted, until'theparts assume the posi tion sho-wn in Fig. 12, where the first lead is disposed `inftheguide tube 40 and the last 48 causes the. arms or deflecting members 50 to hold saidlast lead firmly against the abut- 1 ment 51 by the pressure exerted thereon through the intervening leads. Consequently, if the first lead, thatis, the lead in the guide tube, is used upor is otherwise removed, the

tensionoffthe spring 48 will turn the guide #tube so that its slot 41 will face towards the next lead, whichl will then be guided into the guide 'tube/40 by the arms 50. J It will thus be seen that the guide tube intermittently rotatesorturns in the ydirection ofthe arzine Bis provided with an inwardly extend-J been so inserted, the notch 56 can be closedl said magazine is held substantially horizon i tally in the hand, and the notch 56a is uncovered by appropriate adjustment of the band lead of thefseries is engaging theabutment, 51. y In this pos it ionthe tension ofthe spring rows towards the abutment 51, -as'each lead is? used lup, thusl permittinglanotherlead tov Y' be"guided thereinto by said arms 50.` The leads which arenot in-use are;l therefore,"

maintained inV anorderly seriesnear the wall deflected or guided to the center or` axis of the'magazine by the `rotation of the guide tube 40 and the engagement ofthe leads by thearm's50.`` y w 'Since the last `lead of the series, that is`,the one engaging the4 abutment 51, Vwill have no other leads behind it to hold it in position in the guide tube when it has been fed thereto, the follower 56 is utilized for this, purpose.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig.`

of the member 30, Where they hold one an@ other in parallel relation, being successively 12, this follower 56 is held in an inoperativeL position between the back face of the abut-H ment 51 and the outer facesof the arms 50, but vas the guide tube rotates in feeding the leads tliearms 5() will eventually assume a position inV which they extend over the outer side of the follower 56,'and as the last lead is received in the guide tube 40, see Fig.`13, the arms 5() will engage the follower 56` and move it into the slot of the guide tube against said last leadfthus yieldingly-but eifectually` holding this lead in position and preventing it from dropping laterally outof the guide tube. u Y i shown in the drawings, the plunger C comprises a longitudinally disposed cylindrical rod 'or memberwhich, when'in retracted position, is disposed so that its lower end vextends through and is guided in registering apertures 60 centrally formed in the ad'acent` transverse end walls 61 and 16 of the guide 14 and feed cylinder 15 respectively. In this position, said lower end of the plunger C Vis ator in line with the upper open end of the guide tube 40 of the magazine B, but has not advanced to a position where it can engage a lead in said guide tube. The other end of the plunger Cris movablv connected guide sleeve 14, and which isqprovided on to a head'or block 64,disposed within'the in register with said enlargement 67 oftheA slot 66 and is held so as t0. extend partly there-.

through with its teeth 65`engaging the'thr'ead ofthe cylinder 15, by a` suitable cam or part v69 `secured to' the inner'f-side of the guide sleeve y14'Aopposite the" enlargement 65. This' cam 69 engagesan offset projection 68 on the" adjacent face of the block: 64. Theopposite side facesoffzthe block 64 are cut awayto forln parallel` grooves 64a, within which theV edgesfof thenarrowportion of theslot 66 are adapted tobe received, so that upon manipulation of the Yoperating knob 2,2in the feed cylinder 15, bytheengagement of the grooves 64a with said slot. Thus, bycontinuing thehmanipulation of; the .operating knob 22 the plunger C will advance into and propel a-lead m. through the guide tube 40 of the rmagazine B until the rear end of this lead passes` into that portion of the guide tube 40 which extends below thedisk 32.- This advance movement of the lead in the tube is such that. theslot in the guide tube will be cleared for the reception of another lead. Means are, therefore, provided to quickly retract the plunger C from the guide tube to permit another lead ,to enter the latter, in the manner explained in connection with the description of the magazine B.

Y The means provided for this purpose comprises a tension coil spring70 suitably attached at,l one. end to the upper or rear end of the plunger head or block 64 and at its Vother. end toa cross pin or part 71 mounted in the upper endof the guide sleeve 14, see Fic'. 5.

.i s shown in Figs. 6, 8.and 9, the head 64 is formed with aA lengthwise aperture 7 2 which, in the position of the parts shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8, Vextendsmainly to one side of the axisof the pencil and towards the slot 66. The rear or upper endof the plunger` C is movably received in this aperture `72 and is `connected tothe block 64 by means of a fine wire or the (like resilient member 74, which is bent intermediate of its ends to form a loop 75 which is connected to the adjacent end of the .spring'l'O and extends thenceinto theaperture 72 wherevthe two portions `of the wire pass laterally to the outer side faces of the head or block through holes 7 6, and continue thence, as shown in,A Figs. 5 and 6,

to the lower end of the block,kwhere they are i extended around and secured to the end of the plunger. Y

lVhen the block 64 is in its offset, advanced position, the wire 74 is bent laterally, as shownin` Fig.- 6, by reason of the factA that 1 the holes 76.are yat that time at one side of j where itwillpass outpfsliding contact witll the edges of the slot andjinto theA enlarged opening 68, and since, during the movement of the block to` this position, the coil spring 70 has been extended, .the block will nowbe drawn centrallyV within the guidesleeve 14 by the tendency of thespring wire, 74 to straighten out tothe position shownfinFig. 7 through the pull ofthe spring 70. Consequently, ythe block 64 will be disengaged from the feed cylinder. 15, andsinceno resistancewill now'be offered to the pull of the spring 7 O, the latter will cause the block 64 and its attached plunger to snap quickly back through the `guide sleeve 14, towards the upper end of the pencil. In this movement, the projection 68of the block will encounter the cam 69, so that the block will be diverted from its central position outwardly through the enlargement 67 of the slot 66 and will again be placed. into operative engagement` with the feed cylinder 15.,

The cam 69 is preferably made of resilient or spring metal, so that it can yieldwhen engaged by said projection 68 soasto'prevent the block or4 head 64 from binding between the cam and the inner side of the .sleeve 14. A In order to Vprevent rotation of the block 64 after it has been freed fromthe guide slot 66, `the. sleeve 14 is provided, Iopposite the guide slot. 66, withanother guide slot into which the projection `68 of the block moves as the latteris retracted into the guide sleeve 14 through the enlarged opening.. 68 at the lower end thereof. Thus, the block is held from turning during said retrograde movement by the engagement of theprojection68 in said slot.80.

Thus, it will be readily seen that the plunger C is alternately advanced andretractedby manipulation or rotation of the operating knob v22 in one direction, and in each advance movement the plunger enters the guide tube 40 `of the magazine B and propels a lead therethrough, and eachtime the plunger is retracted, another lead automatically assumes its operative position in the guide tube ready for the next advance movement ofthe plunger.- This procedure4 continues until all the leads have been usedlup,iat which-timethe l follower 56jwill be positioned in the guide tube, and in order tol preventv this follower from being moved endwise alongfthe guide tube with possible injury .to the follower and its supporting parts 55, the upper end of the follower is cut away or tapered, as shown at 81, Fig. 5. lVhen, therefore, the end of the plunger C enga-ges said beveled end 81 of the follower, the latter will be deflected out of the guide tube 40 if the advance movement of the plunger C is continued.

The automatic pencil described is practical andpositive inioperation, and the leads can be successively propelled out of4 the magazine, by the rotation of the operating knob in.v

one direction.

las

" porting-leads, a slotted guide'tuberotatably` mounted in said magazine, a tension spring 1 connectedto said magazineand to said guide j ary series extending about said guide' tube withthefirst lead'dispo'sed in 'said guide tube 5 and the.` slotjin lthe latter facing the next lead A ceeding' lead of said series`,`and saidlaterallyl -i,saa,521

't Another advantage, making `for' compactness and'simplicity, results from the'fact that the operating-partsofthe" pencil, such as the magazine B, feed cylinder 15, guide tions are all inserted intothe shellA `from the open upper endthereof. Thus,no separate' removable tip is required.

I claim :asmy invention: l; In an automaticpencil, alsh'ell, a maga- A zine'stationarily disposed'therein, slotted guide tube rotatablymounted in said magazine, said magazine" being adapted to-receive andsupportf'leads in a substantially stationary series extending about said guide tube with-theirst lead disposed in saidvguide tube 'and the slot in the latter facing the next lead "of said series, means for diverting said nextV i lead through said slot intofsaid guide tube when said first lead :has been used,"and means for rotating said tube in saidimagazineito cause its slot to facetowardsthe'succeeding leadfof'theseries-- *2.I`nan automatic pen' n, a Shen, mega.' zine'stationarily disposed thereinfor suptube and urging thelatter to rotate about its axis, whereby a. plurality of leads can be arj ranged ina' substantially stationaryseries -in said -magazine about said guide tubejwith "the-first leadgdisposed in said guide 'tube and i y Vzine statlonarily disposed therein, a: ,slotted` fguidfe {tube rotatably mounted in said maca' the (slot in the latter facing the next lead of saidseries, means for diverting said next4 lead through saidslotinto said guide tube when' thefrst leadhas beenused, and said tension Ispringacting to rotate said tube in said magazinejto canse its slot, to face towards the succeeding lead ofthe series. Y"

" 3, In 'an automatic pencil, a shell, a ma-gazine' stationarilydisplosed therein, a slotted guide tube rotatably 'mounted in said magazine, said magazine being adapted to receive and support leads in ya substantially-stationof said series, laterally extending parts'von v,cent the slot in said tube for Adiverting said next lead through said slot into said guide tubewhen said first lead has been used, means for rotating said guide tube in said magazine to cause its" slot to face towards the sucextending parts o f said guide tube acting to "divert-each' successive lead into said tube throughl said slot each time said tube-is turned?v y i -i-t In an automaticpencil, a shell, a' magazine 'stationarily disposed insaid shell and having 'a slotted guide tubel rotatably mounted therein, said magazine-'being adapted to if" i5 receive and support" leadsinai substantially sleeve ltlandthe plunger Gand its connec- "through y said slot into said 'guide tube so ias"` ;to bear againstandfhold said-'rlastlead in said guide -tube engaging those leads adia- Y successively receive one after another of. said leads through the'slot therein as the lead in the tube is used, and a movable followersup-y ported insaid magazine, the relativedisposition of said guide tubejto'said vfollowe`rbeing :such that as the last lea-d enters said tube, the i slot in said tube will 4face towards said follower, and means for'moving said follower into said slot -to retain said last leadin said guide tube. i y 4 5; `In an automatic pencil, a shell, a magazine stationarily disposedin'saidshell and having a slotted guide tube rotatably mount-i ed therein, said magazineb'eing adapted 'to receiveand support leads in asubstantially r stationary'series `extending about said guide tube,- means for rotating said guide. tube to successively receiveone after another of-said` e leads through'the slot therein as the leadin `thetube is used, means carried by said guide 'l tube`V for diverting said `leads successively thereinto, a follower, resilient means for` sup-- porting said follower lso as to permit 'move`" `ment thereof towards the axis of said guide tube', `andsaid lead diverting means being engageable with saidfollower as the lastflead enters said 'guidetube to urge said followersaid tube. i f t 6. In-an--automatic penc1l,a shell, a magazine," said magazine 'being adapted Ato, receive and 4support leadsin a substantially stationary- Vseries extending about Asaid guide tube withthe-lirst lead disposed in said guide tube i and the slotin the latter facing the next lead of said series, means for diverting'said next yleadthrough said slot .intosaid guide `tube when said first-lead has been `used, al stationary abutmentV on said magaziner against-which the last lead ofV said series engages, "tension rmeansactingfto rotate said guide tube so as to causefits-slot to approach saidabutment and to faceone after another of said leads aseach lead in said tube is used,f"and means on said guidetube which turns therewith and diverts saidfleads successively through said slot into said tube.- t it A i 7. In an automaticpencil, ashell, a magafz'ine stationarily disposed thereiina slottedA l guide tube rotatably mounted in;V said mavazine, said magazine being adaptedito recelve and support leadsin a substantiallystation- "ary" series extending about said guide, tube with the iirst leaddisposed in said guide tube ary abutment on said; magazine againstwhich y the` last-'lead o16-said series engages, tension ValsA means acting torotate said guide tubeso as to causenits slot to Aapporach said abutment and to face one afteranother ofsaid leads as each lead in said tube is used, means on said guide tube which turns therewith and divert-s said leads successively throughsaid slot into Y said tube, and atollovver movably mounted in ries of leadscanbeinserted one at a time into said inagazinethrough said side o nening soas to be arranged'in ,regular order a out said guide-tube Withtlie irst-.lead'disposed m the latter, means vcarried by saidguide tube for .deflectingthe leadszsuccessively lintosaid tube i t tliroughthe slotltherein, and means for-.turning lsaid guide, tube to cause its slot to face toward thenextfsucceeding lead-each time a lead enters saidtube, andfbroken leads being removable from said magazine through said side opening .thereof Without `removing y the other leads.

9. In. an automatic pencil, .a shell, a i maga'- zi ne for leadsdisposed therein and which is of substantially cylindrical form closed atopposite ends byapertured parts andhaving its sides cut awayto provide` a relatively large lengtliwise extending openinggiving access to itszinterior, slottedguide `tube for leads iiil said magazinerand which Vis rotatably Ymounted inthe. apertures of said end parts, agnotch in one of said annularflangeswhich permits leads `to-be inserted into said magazine by extendingfone end oteach lead Within the opposite annular flangeianddroppingthe other end of-,the `lead through ksaid -notch, means for closing said notch to prevent the leads from :dropping out of'sa-id magazine,

and means for causing a succeeding lead-to enter said guide tube through said slot thereof, each time a lead isused. Y

1 l0. In an automatic pencil, ashell,.a magazine. .stationarily disposed .in` said shell and liavinga slotted guide tuberotatablyfmounted therein, said magazinebeing adapted to receivexand support rleadsjin fri-substantially l stationary'V series extending about'said guide tube, Vmeans Atorrotating said 'guide' tube to successivelyrreceive oneafteranother of said .leads through Athe slot therein as `the Vlea-d iin the tube. is used, a movable .follower supported in said magazine, the relative disposition of `saidfmide tube to saidifollower Abeing such Y fcllowerto be diverted out of'said, guide tubo' thatias thelast Vleadenters saidV tube, the slot insaid tube Ywill face towards sa-idfollower,

means for moving saidlfollower into said slot to retain saidilast lead in said guidetube,a plunger disposedin said shell at one end 0i 70 said magazineand Which-ismovable endvvise ythrough said guide tubeto propel the` leads into Writing position yand said follower having a cam at one end thereof which causes said 7 5 to prevent injury thereto when said'cam is engaged bythe end of saidplunger.

11. In anautoinatic pencil, a shell, a guide tube therein for receivinga lead, a-plunger movable endwise into said tube for propel-30 ling ythe Vlead therethrough. to Writing position, 'a .track in `said shell, a head'connectedtosaidLphmger, and which is slidably .engageable with saidtraCk, means .at one end of thelatte'r tormovingsaid head laterally-435 .into engagement with said rtr-aclnmeans: for

driving said' headalong-saidtrack to project said plunger into said track,.andfmeans tor .laterally discngaging said head `trom fsaid .track atthe loppositeend thereof and forfo Yquickly returning the sameto tliefirst mentioned end. ofsaid track 'for withdrawing said plunger ,from said. guide vtube to permit the .same -to receive another lead.

12. .In anautomaticpencih-r an outer elon-195 gated unitary shell open at one endand havling its opposite end taperedandperforated for .the passage of frleads, a .removable mag- H azinefor leads -vvhicli is insertible' into said shell througlisaid openV end and abuts againstfwo a ystop witliin the shell, 'a plunger for moving leads `through said magazine, a:guide sleeve ftherefoiga .feed cylin derwithin which said sleeve is *iecei-ved. and 'which vcylinder is insertible into said shell and abuts agamstf-OF said .magazine, andy `means releasably connectedavitb the open end-of saidshell .-for

holdingsaid feed cylinderfin operative'position. Y 'f In'anautomatic pencil, an Outer clon-"110 `gated'unitary shell open at one end 'and having itsopposite end tapered `andperforated ttor thepa-ssageof leads, av 'removable magazinetor leads which is `insertible into-.said shell through said open end and abuts against115 `a stop Within the shell, a removable feed cylinder stationarily mounted in 'said shell,

a guide sleeve rotatably disposed Within said cylinder, a plunger for moving leads through Vsaid magazine extending-lengthwise of andino rotatable with said sleeve land having-operative Vengutgement with said -feedcylinden meansv detachably retaining said feed Vcyl- Ainderwin `said shell'in abutting relation to said magazine, and means for removably rel-'125 taining said guidefsleeve inwrotatable rela- 'tion'to said cylinder and saidsh'ell and for y turning :said slee-ve to eifect' operative movement Vof said plunger. i

guide sleeve and having a part extending t-hroughsaid sleeve and which movesgendwise in an advance direction in operative engagement with said feed member for propelling leads. means for withdrawingV said plunger part within said guide sleeve and out of engagement with said feed member at a predetermined point in said advance movement and for quickly retracting it, and

means for returning said plunger into engagement with said feed member at the end of said return stroke. V v

15. In an automatic pencil, a shell, a magazine for leads disposed in one end thereof, a stationary threaded feed member in said shell, a rotatable guide sleeve7 a plunger disposed axially of the pencil in said guide sleeve for moving leads through said maga` Zine, a head, a yielding connection between said head and said plunger for permitting said head to be moved laterally of said axis without moving said plunger .out of its axial position, said guide sleeve having a slot with enlarged openings at each end, means for projecting said head through oneA of said openings into engagement with said feed member to permit said head and plunger to be advanced into and guided along said slot by turning said sleeve, and means for withdrawing said head through said other opening in to said sleeve and out of engagement with said feed member and for returning said head and plunger to aV position in which it can be again projected through said first opening into engagement with said feed member.,

16. In an automatic pencil, a, shell, a magazine for leads disposed in one end thereof, a stationary threaded feed member in said shell, a rotatable guide sleeve, a plunger disposed axially of the pencil in said guide sleeve for moving leads through said magazine, a head, a yielding connection between through said last mentioned opening and again into engagement with said threaded cylinder.

17. In an vautomatic pencil, a shell, a maga- Zine for leads disposed in one end thereof, a stationary threaded feed member in said shell, a rotatablev guide sleeve, a plunger disposed axially of the pencil in said guide sleeve for moving leads through said magazine, a head, a yielding connection between said head. and-said plunger for permitting said head to be moved laterallyof said axis withoutmovingsaid plunger out of its axial position, said guide sleeve having a slot with enlarged openings at each end, saidhead being formed to extend in part out of said slot and into operative engagement with said feedV cylinder, andsaid head having grooves for the reception of the edges of said slot to permit said head and plunger to be advanced by turningrsaid sleeve, a spring attached to said head forl withdrawing the saine through one of said slot openings into said sleevev and for returning Vit to a position opposite the opening at the other end of said slot, a cam positioned in said sleeve to interceptV said returning head and project it laterally through said last mentioned opening and DEv FOREST Q. CRIMMINS.

said head and said plunger for permitting Y said head to be moved laterally of said. axis without moving said plunger out of its axial position, said guide sleeve having a slot with enlarged openings at each end, said head being formed to extend in part out of said slot and into operative engagement with said feed cylinder, and said head having grooves for the reception of the edges of said slot to permit said head and plunger to be advanced by turning said sleeve, aspring attached to said head for withdrawing the same through one of said slot openings into said sleeve and for returning it to a position opposite the opening at the'other end of said slot, and a cam positioned in said sleeve to intercept said returning head and project 'it laterally 

